The Opelousas courier., 1887-11-12
The Chautauqua University.
INTERESTING DETAILS ABOUT THE VA
RIOUs DEPARTMENTS OF THE
INSTITUTION.

INSTITUTION.
Written for the Courier.
The educational work at Chautauuua
is now SO prominent that O full state.
ment of the college methods and ideas
is justified. And clear notions of these
are not common, owing to the rapid
changes and Developments of the pas
three years.
The departments of study here were
added one by one during the first ten
years as they were demanded, the cen.
trail conception being, fbRt when cul.
tured, earnest people leave the ordinary
employments of life for a vacation, they
do not care to waste it in frivolity OIL
idleness, but wish tofll it with think
ing that is real and inspiration that is
help.
This resulted in having taught here a
multitude of subjects without any
special connection or central idea, and
it was common to have the study OF
cooking or the kindergarten and the
study Of language or science classed
together. But three years ago the col
lege idea began to take form and soon
the separation of legimate college
studies from all the specialties took
place, and now there is here at work a
fully organized, well-furnished College
faculty.
This leads US to say a word as to the
o fthis institution. To understand
this fully, glance at the constitution OF
the Chautauqua University. 1t is made
up of the following departments
/. The Chautauqua College of Lib
eral Arts.
2. The Chautauqua School of Theo-
3. The Chautauqua Assembly.
d. The Chautauqua Literary and
Scientific Circle.
5. The Chautauqua Normal Union.
6. The Chautauqua Press.
Now the College of Liberal Arts
Familiarity known as 1.-THE College"-is
the full and sufficient name for the reg
uar educational work of the whole in
stitution. There are many interesting
and successful specialties taught here
Art, Business, Short Hand, etc.-but
they are separate from the college.
Friends of the institution will be
happy to know that the general man.
agement has given it a handsome new
building, provided with all needful ia
cilities for satisfactory study. Located
as it is on the highest point Oh the
grounds, and commanding q fine sweep
of view in lake, and sky, and wood, it
is q fair symbol Of the climax of the
Chautauqua movement in education.
But now, as to the idea of the insti-
ton as a whole. The Chautauqua Col
lege is an Institution working primarily
by correspondence through the regular
College session, and the work done at
.hautauqua is properly the summer SEES
sion of the college. Tt is therefore not
IN independent work that runs for six
weeks and is then over. The classes
are arranged SO that students may en-
,er them for six weeks only, and some
features are added to brighten
lp the work and attract students. But
he fullest conception is that n~on-resi-
lent students of winter gather here and
With others pursue their studies under
he stimulus of personal contrast with
,reat teachers.
This Heads me to say q word aSto the
conception and working of the College
d correspondence institution. Ut is
his: Many people never had the op-
'ortunity in youth to goSo college, and
Iow they wish for but are prevented
y business or agaSG; many others went
hrough lower schools, but could not
to college, a6Rd are now also prevent
many offers wish for special train
in someAubject under a specialist.
|he Chautauqua College brings to such
a full college course and makes
{ possible for them to remain at home
II at work and secure an education of
ny desired grade. It does this by di-
Getting studies, correcting the students
york, and giving suggestions for study.
And, because its students are in great
'arnest and more OF less NATURE ct has
ucceeded wonderfully. Finally, by the
act that it does not appeal to students
Who lave an opportunity to go to coll
ego, it does not act as d rival to the es-
ablished colleges, but aids them in Civ
rg advanced education to all.
So then the summe session Of tie
at Chantauqua brings many of
hese students together and with all
theirs who wish it, gives them further
Instruction and dignifes and glorifes
herr work.
Two chief ideas underlie the work
lone during the SUMMER: First-the
egular, detail work of college institu-
ion is dry. Students are found doing
ne systematic work of Greek, English.
II Geology. In this, students are urged
Q attempt to take but one department.
md are prohibited, except in unusual
asses, from taking more than two. By
his means, students are not allowed TO
lip superfeally into everything and sol
the tone of the institution. Sec
nd-much attention is paid to fresh
nd successful methods of teaching. and
! is made possible for a teacher to come
Q Chautauqua and sec a great school
T work, with the living teacher put
into practice the best methods.
By combining these with ideas Of de-
allied work for students and methods
f work for teachers, the College offers
unsurpassed advantages In education.
The instructors of the College cannot
Q spoken of except with pride and en-.
auslasn. The happy generosity Of
10 management has made-it possible
!, summon here a faculty which might
g the envy of old and rich colleges.
,ecause OF the long vacation Of the reg
lar colleges this ig easy, since many